With green in mind, the SkySpark project flew its Pioner Alpi 300 two-place airplane for the first time last week, and two days later flew again-this time reaching 155 mph (approximately 132 knots). The airplane is powered with a 75 kw motor driven by lithium polymer batteries installed in the right passenger seat. More information and a YouTube video of the flight is available at skyspark.eu. SkySpark is coordinated by engineering company DigiSky. The SkySpark team leader is test pilot and astronaut Maurizio Cheli, who flew on the STS 75 space shuttle mission as flight engineer. The electric flight is defined by Cheli as step one, with the next phase to include flying with a hydrogen fuel cell.
Italian-Designed Electric Airplane Reaches 155 mph
Key Takeaways:
- The SkySpark project successfully completed initial test flights of its Pioner Alpi 300 electric airplane, powered by a 75 kW motor and lithium polymer batteries, reaching 155 mph.
- The project, coordinated by DigiSky and led by test pilot and former astronaut Maurizio Cheli, considers these flights "step one" in developing green aviation.
- Future plans for the SkySpark project include transitioning to hydrogen fuel cell technology for subsequent flight phases.
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